Smart Dubai showcased the latest developments and additions to its flagship Dubai Blockchain Strategy, as well as to its artificial intelligence service, Rashid, at the GITEX Technology Week 2017, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on October 8-12.

The initiatives demonstrate Smart Dubai’s overarching mission to put cutting-edge technologies at the service of the people, which aligns with directives from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, who has made the ambitious promise that the Emirate of Dubai will issue its very last paper transaction by 2020, as the Government turns to Blockchain technology to conduct the entirety of its operations.

This, in turn, is a materialisation of the forward-thinking vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a fully-fledged smart city and a pioneer in the smart tech sector.

“We intend to use our platform at GITEX Technology Week to introduce the public – and decision makers, in particular – to the latest advancements in our initiatives, as well as our progress towards achieving the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2021,” said Her Excellency Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai Office (SDO). “We are constantly developing and upgrading our services to support our mission of implementing cutting-edge innovations across all sectors, all in an effort to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.”

Blockchain

Smart Dubai has put its Blockchain Strategy on display at GITEX Technology Week 2017 with a detailed presentation. The strategy was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to ensure that the Dubai Government becomes the first government in the world to implement all of its transactions using advanced Blockchain technology by 2020.

The Dubai Blockchain Strategy revolves around three main pillars: First, increasing government efficiency by transferring 100% of government transactions to the Blockchain network. To that end, 40 Blockchain-related workshops were organised, bringing together 30 different government bodies to determine the transactions that will be conducted through Blockchain, as well as to create a common Blockchain platform for the Government of Dubai and to develop sound Blockchain policies.

The second pillar of the strategy is to strengthen industrial activity by creating a new Blockchain-based business model. For that purpose, Smart Dubai launched the Dubai Smart City Accelerator and the Global Blockchain Challenge, the latter of which attracted 21 emerging companies from 18 cities across the world back in May 2017. The third and final pillar consists of securing Dubai’s global lead in terms of adoption and implementation of Blockchain networks and transactions. With that in mind, the Emirate of Dubai now hosts monthly international Blockchain conferences and actively exchanges knowledge with smart cities across the world.

On the same note, Dubai has made significant progress in the practical implementation of Blockchain technology, notably when Smart Dubai partnered with the Department of Land and Property in Dubai to develop the world’s first Blockchain-powered government real estate network. The innovative system provides a smart and secure portal to submit all real estate contracts, including sale and lease agreements. The database is also connected with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), as well as with banks, which allows users to pay their dues with digital checks. All these transactions are fast, paperless and can be conducted from anywhere around the world.

Artificial Intelligence – Rashid

Furthermore, Smart Dubai also showcased the latest developments in its AI service, Rashid, which demonstrates the impactful role that artificial intelligence technology is playing in Dubai’s smart-city transformation. Advanced AI-powered services streamline Government operations and provide official and reliable answers to questions from aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch a business in Dubai or invest in start-ups. Rashid can reveal to users the procedures, documents and conditions required for a start-up, as well as simple, clear and reliable instructions.

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Background information

Collaborating with private sector and government partners, Smart Dubai was established to empower, deliver and promote an efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experience for residents and visitors.More...

Collaborating with private sector and government partners, Smart Dubai was established to empower, deliver and promote an efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experience for residents and visitors.

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Since its founding in 1999, ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller has played a pivotal role in the development of the Middle East public relations industry. Through its longstanding commitment to providing innovative, results-driven communications solutions, ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller has emerged as the region's premier public relations consultancy, with a growing portfolio of blue-chip corporate and government clients.

Since its founding in 1999, ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller has played a pivotal role in the development of the Middle East public relations industry. Through its longstanding commitment to providing innovative, results-driven communications solutions, ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller has emerged as the region's premier public relations consultancy, with a growing portfolio of blue-chip corporate and government clients.